Hello guys,
So... I've got a little problem.
My company has bought nearly 35 of these Galaxy 5 phones and we've even developed an application to track down our employees via the Android's GPS System. The tool is working very well and fits our purposes, but we are not quite happy with it yet because of the accuracy that the GPS is getting at the moment.
The point is, we have tried everything we could find concerning the use of this individual phone to it's best in terms of GPS Accuracy, from Fasterfix to android tweaks, and we still can't get past the baseline of ~50 meters accuracy. We'd all be happy if we could work with ~10 meters by now, but it seems that that number is unreachable...
Has anyone got any link, app or tweak to suggest that it's worth testing?
Peace.
jeanst91 said:
Hello guys,
So... I've got a little problem.
My company has bought nearly 35 of these Galaxy 5 phones and we've even developed an application to track down our employees via the Android's GPS System. The tool is working very well and fits our purposes, but we are not quite happy with it yet because of the accuracy that the GPS is getting at the moment.
The point is, we have tried everything we could find concerning the use of this individual phone to it's best in terms of GPS Accuracy, from Fasterfix to android tweaks, and we still can't get past the baseline of ~50 meters accuracy. We'd all be happy if we could work with ~10 meters by now, but it seems that that number is unreachable...
Has anyone got any link, app or tweak to suggest that it's worth testing?
Peace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using stock ROM i guess... none of the tweaks work on that correctly
Using CyanogenMOD 7 may improve the situation and the tweaks might work
123shree said:
Using stock ROM i guess... none of the tweaks work on that correctly
Using CyanogenMOD 7 may improve the situation and the tweaks might work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly that does not help. We're already using the CM7 ROM, the main problem with it is that we can't access the GPS built-in controller because the Android version of CM7 is more recent than the stock version.
It'd be nice if there were any tweaks we could make to the rom, I see no problem with messing with the root files, as long as we can try configuring the GPS manually.
you should ask into the MadTeam forum.. the will know if there's a way to help you to improve the GPS accuracy!
Related
Here's the story:
Had a vibrant, put Axura (Axura 205 Vibrant) on it. Worked great for many many months, until I broke the screen. I tried to replace it but that's another story.
Fast forward to now, I have a new Vibrant, with the same ROM on it, (flashed from stock).
I have tried 6 or 7 different ROMS of various release (Froyo/GB), but the GPS never shows satellites. I have done the access LBSTest fix as suggested elsewhere in the forums, but still not seeing satellites.
On my old phone this specific ROM (Axura) worked great. Same ROM, another phone, doesn't work.
It feels like the gps hardware is bad (I bought the phone used) but my business partner's phone does the exact same thing.
ANY diagnostic steps or outline would be great! I don't know how to determine if the GPS hardware is functioning properly or not. A link, list or other from someone who has dealt with this before would be a wonderful help.
THANKS!
(The only odd thing I have noticed is the stock rom won't connect to any cellular networks. Putting Axura (or any ROM) corrects that issue.)
EDIT: I should note that enabling "Use wireless networks" allows some data to be used, but I assume this is based off of hardware mac addresses of the wireless routers and google's location database rather than actual satellite data
I should also note the manufacture date is 10.10 and the current modem is JK2.
I have been researching various fixes (in spite of the anomaly stated above) and it seems the hardware soldering fix only relates to pre 10.10 and suggests a modem higher than JI6.
I am tempted to try some other ROMs but have exhausted my attempts and feel maybe this isn't something I can fix anymore. Help still appreciated.
sounds like you'll need to open it and do the HW mod for the GPS antenna contacts to be firm together, I used a piece of shaped plastic to keep the tab in an elevated position so it wouldn't lose tension after its snapped back. then DL heathens GB GPS fix , it works awesome for me, best GPS lock ever
Oh an one more thing, Aurora isn't the best choice of ROM, unless that's what you like. JMHO
Thanks. I'll do both, I am kind of apprehensive about soldering the gps, I have broken things before, although I am ok with a solder gun.
Any suggestions on ROMS? I am open for them, have tried a few (Cm7, SIMPLE, Revolution, + others) but since I couldn't get the gps to work I assumed it was rom related.
You might also try a new modem with a Froyo ROM. Any of the KAx or KBx modems with a Froyo ROM should be an improvement.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
dseldown said:
sounds like you'll need to open it and do the HW mod for the GPS antenna contacts to be firm together, I used a piece of shaped plastic to keep the tab in an elevated position so it wouldn't lose tension after its snapped back. then DL heathens GB GPS fix , it works awesome for me, best GPS lock ever
Oh an one more thing, Aurora isn't the best choice of ROM, unless that's what you like. JMHO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something I've noticed with the hardware fix is the author of the post here states that the manufacture date is 9.10 or before, and mine (10.10) shouldn't need it. Is this true?
shrapnelx said:
You might also try a new modem with a Froyo ROM. Any of the KAx or KBx modems with a Froyo ROM should be an improvement.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running KB5 now. Which app do you recommend for seeing what/how many satellites have a lock? The one I am using now (Gps Status) just has a spinning icon on the bottom, with no info.
I am at a loss as to why this phone won't lock. I'm willing to paypal anyone who has the time and gumption to assist with a true repair.
Edit: Just went outside with the GPS Test app (disabled use WiFi for location) and it could "see" 1 satellite, but was using 0. Does this help in giving an idea as to why it won't work?
Maybe the antenna issue can still exist post the 9.10 manufacturer date.
:S
I am totally in love with having ICS on my Vibrant! Big thanks to our great dev community!
The only drawback with every ICS ROM I've tried is GPS. The ROMs I've tried all were able to get GPS locks after lots of massaging, but never worked when I needed them, even after reboots. Long lock times, weak locks, lost locks while driving, etc.
My GPS on 2.2 ROMs was great, so I know it's not insufficient hardware. I've tried all of the fixes and such I could find on the forums.
If anyone is running an ICS ROM and has usable GPS, I would love to know what you're using - ROM, kernel, modem, any flashable/manual edits to the GPS.conf, etc.
Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
my GPS works, by works i mean not just sattelite locks but in actual driving use and after deep sleep.
ROM: frankenKANG of AOKP, Slim ICS, and ICZ
Kernel: THS, modified splash image and added more governors / IO schedulers, no other changes made.
Modem: JI6 (Southern California)
GPS.conf: Custom -- posted -- extract from zip, push manually, rw-r--r--, reboot
cheers!
GPS Better than Ever!!
Look below to see what ROM I'm running, I get great reception and lock within 10 sec's 15 max, and I use it all the time to pilot my large car around for a living!!.
Of course I did the antenna contact mod using a piece of plastic shaped just right to keep contact pressure solid so the signal is strong!!
If you haven't done the GPS antenna Mod yet your never gonna get a good signal until you do, This is a known Samsung design flaw!
Once you do it and set the right SW up and region where you operate at, you'll see a huge improvement. That is if you have a T-959 Vibrant??
My GPS works like a charm, my ICS rom is also in my signature below.
xtone said:
my GPS works, by works i mean not just sattelite locks but in actual driving use and after deep sleep.
ROM: frankenKANG of AOKP, Slim ICS, and ICZ
Kernel: THS, modified splash image and added more governors / IO schedulers, no other changes made.
Modem: JI6 (Southern California)
GPS.conf: Custom -- posted -- extract from zip, push manually, rw-r--r--, reboot
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're using the kernel that comes with Slim? I'm currently using that, and my gps.conf is basically the same as yours. I guess it's time to try the hardware fix... Thanks for your help.
dseldown said:
Look below to see what ROM I'm running, I get great reception and lock within 10 sec's 15 max, and I use it all the time to pilot my large car around for a living!!.
Of course I did the antenna contact mod using a piece of plastic shaped just right to keep contact pressure solid so the signal is strong!!
If you haven't done the GPS antenna Mod yet your never gonna get a good signal until you do, This is a known Samsung design flaw!
Once you do it and set the right SW up and region where you operate at, you'll see a huge improvement. That is if you have a T-959 Vibrant??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I am running a T959 Vibrant. I'm working up the nerve to take my phone apart to try the hardware fix. Thanks!
I was in the same boat as you. I tried the fix posted here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1370910 and it did the trick.
I am currently running ICS Passion v13.1 with icy glitch v14 6B kernel
dseldown said:
Look below to see what ROM I'm running, I get great reception and lock within 10 sec's 15 max, and I use it all the time to pilot my large car around for a living!!.
Of course I did the antenna contact mod using a piece of plastic shaped just right to keep contact pressure solid so the signal is strong!!
If you haven't done the GPS antenna Mod yet your never gonna get a good signal until you do, This is a known Samsung design flaw!
Once you do it and set the right SW up and region where you operate at, you'll see a huge improvement. That is if you have a T-959 Vibrant??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doih! i've done the GPS hardware bending thingy but NEVER thought of puting a tiny piece of plastic to keep the presure up .... maybe that will help with my accuracy.
thanks!!!
Wow - I just did the hardware fix, and it's like night and day! Thanks for the advice!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
GPS with ICS Passion - Different Kernels - Rebooting Seems to Work
With several Kernels I have been able to get a quick lock right after I flash. After a day or 2, I check and nothing. Tonight I checked after I had flashed Kiss 5.1 a few days ago and nothing, I rebooted and got a quick lock again. After a 1/2 hour or so, nothing again, rebooted and got another quick lock. I got my phone in Feb 2011 and have not tried any hardware fix. Any suggestions?
Have so far had time to try ICZen, ICS Passion, and just flashed SlimICS 3.1 a minute ago.
No problem here with GPS, I was running Glitch on ICZ and Passion. I'm keeping Slim on the stock rom kernels and GPS is quite snappy.
I've flashed all my roms after a clean wipe/format. I've had little to no problem every time I do.
ICS Passion w/Kiss 5.1
I did the lifting of the GPS tab on my phone as a hardware fix and after phone settles for any time I have to reboot to view satellites and get a lock. Any suggestions?
Okay, I have done the following things:
1. I have soldered the connection inside the phone. (Yes very nicely I might add as I solder a lot at work.)
2. I have the Sub-Zero build 75 kernel.
3. I am using Slim ICS Rom from the android development forum.
Why in the hell does the GPS lock on instantly sometimes, and other times I have to restart the phone 20 times before it will even thinking about locking on again?
What is wrong with this phone's GPS? What else can I do to get this GPS to work all the time. The programs that "clear the GPS data" or the phone code that does it, does not work. There is no message and no sign that it cleared anything. The "secret code" program just crashes of course, when I try to use the GPS clear data.
Is there anything else I can do, besides throwing this phone against the wall. I actually NEED the GPS sometimes because I travel a lot, and I can't even rely on this phone.
Here is how I understand this:
Since we never got an official release for gingerbread we won't be getting one for ICS either. The problem is that all releases for our phone for GB+ are hacked together from the source released for the other phones in the Galaxy S family. Also, since the actual guts are slightly different between models, we don't have the actual Samsung drivers for these releases on our phone.
Another problem is that the GPS chip they used on this phone sucked and was sub par at best when released. Most vibrant owners had issues.
The only way to guarantee the best GPS performance on this phone is to stick with the stock Froyo firmware. Everything else is hit or miss since we got the step child phone off the Galaxy S family.
I was lucky enough to buy my vibrant several months after release, so my GPS was revised by then and better than the release models, but it still flakes out on custom ROMs sometimes.
For now, I am on Slim 3.5, and sub zero 80 kernel.
-------------
GlobeSpy detailed this in his post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1550327
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I flashed the yags and experia GPS fixes, made sure to install angryGPS and faster fix.
Angry GPS settings changed to MSBASED, cold start, and Xtra=off.
In supl settings, I selected Google server.
In Fasterfix: selected custom and set to us.pool.ntp.org
After rebooting the phone, open GPS test and let it lock birds.
After that, I can exit out of GPS test and run navigation. GPS will lock later in day too.
The same settings worked on the stock slim kernel to, so sub zero isn't a requirement, but I have made it work on both kernels. In my expewrience the stock Slim kernel worked better for GPS.
Hopefully this helps, but each phone is so different, the results are not guaranteed.
It really is too bad that Samsung dropped the ball on the GPS in this phone. It's the only weak bit of the device.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
I was messing around in the Android Apps and Games forum and found this post. So then I wanted to share it with you guys.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1239713
My question is... could this be used in any way to improve our development?
As if this "fix" could be built into our ROMs or radios or SOMETHING to connect to a GPS quicker?
Just a thought...
I think the agps pstch does the same thing. Also GPS status from the market can do the same thing.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
I think all these GPS fixes dont do anything personally....a long time ago someone suggested to get a satellite fix, then reinstall the ROM and it will lock almost instantly every time. And it has been working for over a year. I have done it to 3 different thunderbolts besides my own and worked. I never use these "fixes." Im no pro at this software stuff but trial and error is my expertise and when it works perfectly every time on multiple of the same device, id say thats the best way to do it.
ang1dust said:
I think all these GPS fixes dont do anything personally....a long time ago someone suggested to get a satellite fix, then reinstall the ROM and it will lock almost instantly every time. And it has been working for over a year. I have done it to 3 different thunderbolts besides my own and worked. I never use these "fixes." Im no pro at this software stuff but trial and error is my expertise and when it works perfectly every time on multiple of the same device, id say thats the best way to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mostly agree. I just went through this process, having gone from a Sense-based ROM (BAMF SOAB 1.4) to an AOSP-based ROM (Thundershed 1.6). Despite the new ROM having the AGPS fix baked in, I still wasn't getting a GPS, so I made a nandroid, flashed back to an old nandroid I had of SOAB, opened up Google Maps, to get a satellite, then opened up GPS Status (from the Play Store, free) to find the strongest lock I could (9 out of 9 satellites), then immediately went to reboot into recovery and restored my Thundershed nandroid. I then opened up Google Maps then GPS Status again, found I was locked onto 10 of 10 satellites, and I was good to go.
ang1dust said:
I think all these GPS fixes dont do anything personally....a long time ago someone suggested to get a satellite fix, then reinstall the ROM and it will lock almost instantly every time. And it has been working for over a year. I have done it to 3 different thunderbolts besides my own and worked. I never use these "fixes." Im no pro at this software stuff but trial and error is my expertise and when it works perfectly every time on multiple of the same device, id say thats the best way to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with him. GPS don't do much anymore. The 4g signal does more than the GPS. You could not run a GPS app without data connection. basically all they use gps for is to find exact location. And soon i think that they will probably discontinue gps in a phone!
Anyone know what ROMs have working GPS? I prefer 4.1 ROMs.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
ppillow said:
Anyone know what ROMs have working GPS? I prefer 4.1 ROMs.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I'm still using Slim ICS with 4.0.4. The GPS is ok, it works but still not great. I don't think my phone will ever be great though. I want to try out SlimBean but it seems they are having GPS issues among other things.
Honestly, I've found that GPS can be a real hit or miss depending on your specific phone.
All hardware is not created equally, unfortunately. I'd suggest testing a few different roms and find which works best
for you specifically...because I've had luck with GPS on roms where users have reported bad GPS, and no GPS on roms where
awesome GPS was reported.
Good luck!
ppillow said:
Anyone know what ROMs have working GPS? I prefer 4.1 ROMs.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I would use either PA or CM10, but you need to flash the 3 gps fix files located somewhere in the PA thread. I would not use Slimbean 3.0 if you really need GPS since even if you do flash the files, no satellites come in view at all. I got a lock below 10 sec outside driving on monday at 7:30 pm. Accuracy was about ~25 feet, so it was really good. I was on CM10. Anyway, both have really good GPS as long as you have the 3 GPS files. They are called: GPS - Experia Files, YAGF2, and cwm-cm9-gps-wrap. Flash it in the order I wrote it in. They arent hard to find. Just type the names into Google. Or look in the PA thread. Good luck bro, and as Xenoism said, it also varies with device. If your device was made before Nov 2010, you probably wont get a lock no matter what unless you did the hardware fix. Even with the hardware fix, you'll still need these 3 files.
EDIT: Because I'm nice, I found the post where Jrafael posted the GPS files. It is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=33575684&postcount=504
I have great gps with SlimBean and the 3gps fixes, its even better than my Galaxy Nexus. However, I owned a couple Vibrant and they all seem to have difference performance. Try the hardware gps fix if you're brave.
Note that for SlimBean if you patch mismatched patches it can make GPS stop working completely, only patch gapps from their own site.
eksasol said:
I have great gps with SlimBean and the 3gps fixes, its even better than my Galaxy Nexus. However, I owned a couple Vibrant and they all seem to have difference performance. Try the hardware gps fix if you're brave.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of Slimbean are you on? 2.9 works fine, but 3.0 is stone dead. (From my experience and a bunch of other members) I flashed the files and rebooted, tried getting a lock and not even one satellite appeared. Usually on other roms i get locks in less than 10 secs and after deep sleep, less than 20. I dont think he'll need the hardware fix if his phone is built after Nov 2010. But if its built before, then he'll definitely need it if he needs GPS that bad. That or get a new phone with GPS or buy a GPS :good: